A review by readingonthehorizon
The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

In the gloomy whaling village of Warbler, an eerie fog haunts the night and is blamed for the disappearances of townspeople and visiting whalers. Temperance Byrne, the town's lamplighter, gets caught in the middle of accusations and daring acts following the disappearance of a local girl, sending her life into a spiral as she strives to uncover the mysterious disappearances.

Crystal Bell's "The Lamplighter" was an absolute joy to read. It was my first dip into the gothic genre and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction. The world building gave way to thrilling twists and betrayals that left me saying "just one more chapter".

Despite its beauty in storytelling and the world it built, I would have loved to see more of the relationship between Josiah and Temperance as well as Tempe's mother and her character. For me, the fleshing out of these relationships and characters would have allowed me to connect more with them and produce a bigger reaction to the novel's climax.

Thank you so much to North Star Editions and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
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